Archive for the 'QC After Dark' Category

Break out the Bikinis!

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

When I first heard about Bikinis in University opening my first thought was: “That sounds like a place I want to go”… if we were in Myrtle Beach for Spring Break or something. But since we’re not, I sent my intern, Sarah from UNCC, to check out the booby bar, breast-eraunt.

By Sarah Coombes

Living the life of a college student means spending my week with dead poets and ex-world leaders. Beginning to feel a little dead myself, I was relieved for the weekend to roll around so I could breathe a little life into my nights. So, I opted to check out the new Bikinis I’d been hearing about on campus.


After-all, anything has to be better than Bar Charlotte, a place known for its barely legal booty and the guys trying to get it. Well, the guys were still trying to get at the booty at Bikinis. (more…)

HOM closed

Monday, February 9th, 2009

With all these home foreclosures goes HOM – causing Liv, Play and Feast to close.

But was it the economy, Hurricane Funderfurk, the EpiCentre opening… or is that location just cursed? That whole block seems to be capitalistically cursed. I’ve only lived in Charlotte for three years and the various venues have been several different things. Twist… Daddy’s… Menage… HOM.


I’m telling you, someone needs to put a late night diner in that location. If only Feast were a Waffle House and served shittier food, as in greasy diner food that people want to at 2 a.m.

Thoughts? What’s your home sweet home for nightlife?

Stay tuned because I’m putting together an Economic Stimulus Nightlife Package…. we’re all ballin’ on a budget these days.

Checking out bars without checking in

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

According to Jay-Z, “after the party it’s the hotel lobby” … or, you can just have the party at the hotel bar. Because you don’t have to be checked-in to check out the nightlife within hotels.

There’s Café Sienna at the Holiday Inn, Chambers in the Crowne Plaza, Champions and Cutter’s Cigar Bar in Marriot Center City, Bar 10 at the Westin, Coastal Bar at Hilton Center City and the more appropriately titled Lakefront Lounge at the University Hilton … and if you’re staying at the Days Inn on Woodlawn you can go to the Azteca restaurant for a little fiesta fiesta.


But a new hotel just opened that might house the most eclectically modern bar in Charlotte… the WXYZ at the Aloft — a hotel, as opposed to a loft, located above the EpiCentre. (more…)

Win tickets to Absolut Mango launch party

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009


You remember the character Mango from SNL? Yeah, that guy was funny… but he has absolutely nothing to do with what the launch of the new Absolut Mango vodka this Friday night at Sunset Club starting at 10 p.m. Before we know it there is going to be more flavors of vodka than there are ice cream.

I got to try Absolut Mango at Sundance Film Festival where the bartender, who claimed to be a founding member of the Coyotes, mixed it with pomegranate juice and ice tea… and it was absolutely delicious. And if the new mango flavor of vodka isn’t enough – they’re having a chocolate fountain. More than likely that’s where you’ll find me.


Well, I have V.I.P tickets for the open bar from 10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.…. and I want to share them. I have two pair of passes and they go to the first two people to e-mail me at brittney.cason@creativeloafing.com

Wild Wings, Chuck Norris and more food…

Monday, February 2nd, 2009


Wild Wings has opened in the EpiCentre and, like every bar that’s opened in the EpiCentre, Wild Wings is…. well, wild. But don’t underestimate the Wild Wings in Ayrsley with their Chuck Norris shot — tequila and Red Bull. Because after a night of partying Chuck Norris doesn’t throw up – he throws down…kinda like you after t.v. tailgating for the SuperBowl last night, right? (more…)

Broadway’s in Charlotte… and Brittney’s in Limbo

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Actually, it’s Savage that was in Limbo… and on stage at CAST (Carolina Actor’s Studio Theatre).

Meanwhile, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp from the original 1996 cast of RENT are on stage at Ovens Auditorium. Along with Nicolette Hart — perhaps the funniest, most animated Maureen in any RENT production I’ve seen. Makes sense — she is the original Elle Woods in Legally Blonde… the musical?! Really? I mean, we’ve seen people take art and turn it into pop culture, but can you turn pop culture into a piece of art?

I can tell you however that seeing the authentic Roger and Mark on stage made it feel like I was in the Louvre of performing arts, seeing the original masterpiece that is the musical RENT right here in Charlotte thanks to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.


RENT focuses on the sanctuary of the arts and performing spaces….and CAST is a prime example of a local performance space worth patronizing. It’s perhaps the best independent theater in Charlotte. In addition to the good entertainment and ambiance, they offer $12 bottles of wine at the bar, which during the play Savage in Limbo was converted into the set for the performance. (more…)

Mini Britney’s back, bitch!

Friday, January 30th, 2009


Mini Britney will be at BAR Charlotte tonight. Not that I typically ever encourage going to BAR Charlotte… but I do encourage you go see Mini Britney. She’s actually as good as the real Britney Spears the comeback version.


Read my adventures with Mini Britney last year here.

Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriiiiiiiiiike!

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

I woke up Saturday morning on an airplane at JFK airport… another year older.


It was my birthday, and as much fun as hanging out in airports on your birthday sounds, I opted to fly the redeye home from Sundance Film Festival… so I could go to Strike City in the EpiCentre’s soft (as opposed to hard) opening to celebrate my birthday.

To help you navigate your way through the epic EpiCentre, Strike City is located under Mez and the EpiCentre Theaters.

As soon as I got there and realized that within Strike City is Librettos, a real deal NYC pizzeria, I was pissed at myself for eating the $7.50 Bojangles Surpremes at the Checkers game beforehand. Strike City is not just a bowling alley… it’s a place to go to eat, and stay to bowl (and party). (more…)

Ballantyne, Pineville: It’s more than a mall

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

Seeing as how I am on a “maternity leave” I’ve hired a “nanny”… Actually, I got an intern from UNCC to cover nightlife while I’m off getting my Masters in funny at Second City. So, I’d like to introduce you to Sarah Coombes who brings you Ballantyne After Dark…

By Sarah Coombes

When I first moved to the Pineville and Ballantyne area, my eyes grew wide at the sight of Carolina Place Mall. I was now five minutes from the wonders of Forever 21 and Express, what could be better than that? But then I realized Ballantyne and Pineville are filled with bars that offer entertainment throughout the week — from restaurants to bars, there is always something to do down there in the dirty, or rather not so dirty, South Charlotte. (more…)

Tales of Vegas Beer Pong

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

By Gman

Beer Pong is not a crime. You hear that A.L.E.? It’s NOT a crime. It is, however, the act of throwing a ping pong ball into a cup and and clearing all the cups on your opponent’s side of the table. Simple enough, right? Some, or I should say most, do it for fun. Then there are those of us that take it way too seriously, become a talented player and win either money, tournaments or just a little bit of respect.

For those who don’t know who I am, I’m GMAN and I work for Lazyday.com and I’m a seven-year vet in beer pong. Starting at a bar in Bay Shore, N.Y., … and currently walking away from my last table at The World Series of Beer Pong IV in Las Vegas, Nev.

Recently, as I live in Charlotte, I have found that, yes, I am a great Beer Pong player and I don’t find myself losing much. I do win a tournament from time to time — although I did lose to Brittney Cason once.


But this past September, my partner, DJ Vampire Head and myself got into the World Series of Beer Pong IV in Las Vegas. I was cocky and I was just coming off a big tournament win so I said fuck it, why not. If you’re good at something, why not make some money doing it?

This, in turn, brought to me four months of absolute madness and a ridiculous amount of practicing and nights hammered out of my skull. The days went by and the games added up, a few wins here, a few more, a few more, a loss, a few more wins and etc. We had Buckhead Saloon signed up to sponsor us which I thank them greatly for. (more…)